Bird Homestead Golf Report

It was a painful finish to an up-and-down U.S. Open. I’m thinking that he should have just packed it up on Saturday, came to Alaska, and played here at the Bird Homestead in our first tournament of the year  the 11th annual Ray Husby Memorial Golf Classic!

What a grand success with 27 players enjoying 18 holes of golf followed by a Moose Lodge pig roast. I unfortunately wasn’t able to get jiggy with it due to a bout of the flu. I’m hoping that coordinator Bob Roach will please forgive me, but I was down and completely out of it. My better half, Captain Denny Marr of Alaska Sportfishing Adventures, has yet to forgive me for missing two very impressively roasted hogs. I’m thinking that after an entire week, he needs to let this go!

The tournament came around 18 holes with our first place team: Pat Bird, Scott Roadarmel, Roy Bird and Bob Roach himself! They posted a score of 72. Congratulations to all! (We’ll continue with the “Roy Report” in a moment.)

Having missed the tournament, I have to wonder what the Lady Bird had worn. I’m hopeful that you all have read this week’s Birch Ridge report, which observed that she had dipped herself in a cotton candy machine. You so have to love that! May God always smile at you Pat. Well, next year they are going to look for the next “pink lady.” Go get ‘em boss, I smile knowing you may have saved a life.

As for the rest of the teams, scores posted will show just how well they have come to know and love our course. Our second-place team included: Cindy Zann, Gary Muller and Norm Potaratke. They posted a score of 74. I’ll give you this, a 74 on the Bird, I congratulate!

Third-place wining team included: Patty Rome, Rhonda Dettmer, Doug Branscomb and Bill Wheeler with a fine round of also 74. Rhonda Dettmer won longest drive on No. 9 for the women. Wahoo Rhonda! Roy Bird won the longest drive for the men as well as closest to the pin on No. 6 at 12 feet, 2 inches. Show off.

Door prizes were donated by several local businesses with enormous generosity. A warm thank you to all from all of us at the Bird as well as Bob and everyone at the Moose Lodge to: Rick’s Second Hand Store, Nana/Colt, Oldtown Trophies, Lin Wheeler, the Kenai Golf Course and of course, the Moose Lodge itself. We also extend that thank you to all who volunteered.

This week’s men’s night was a hoot! I thank you all for the many giggles and wiggles! We missed John Brewer and hope that all is well with you and the Mrs. I have gone along with this “blind draw” thing that Roy has been doing right up ‘til this week.

Paul Zimmerman and his team of Terrance Johnson, Dennis Linnell and Mark Hordeman decided that they would turn in their card bringing them in at 5-under. Boy that went over like a lead balloon. When Max Carpenter decided he needed to head out, Paul quietly handed off the “real” card which left them at 3-over. New rule: They may not play as a team together any more! Guess I have to enact the Marshal Cart!

The real winning team was announced once Max was stopped and hauled back to the clubhouse. First-place team included: Max Carpenter, Steve Payment, Eric Pruett, and yes, Roy Bird. Roy also managed to take closest to the pin on No. 6, which was a holdover for two weeks, but longest drive was taken by Dick Galloway. Golf clap to Dick. The closest to the pin for No. 8 will carry over until next week. After the fun we had this week, next week should be something to look forward to.

Don’t miss our first annual string tournament coming up on July 2. That should be a grand old time. The Bird Homestead Golf Association will be giving 20 feet of string to be used during play to “enhance” play? The tournament will be a blind draw best ball tournament. Registration will be $35 prior to play. There will be mulligans at a cost of $5 with a limit of one. This tournament is to bring to everyone’s attention that the Bird Homestead does have a handicapping program with the USGA and AGA. Please come and join the association as well as just coming to have a great time!

This week’s trivia winner: Norm Murphy! The lefty guessed Phil’s club as the Big Bertha X-460. Takes one to know one, eh? Best to you and stop on in to claim your prize.

New trivia: Who was the first golfer to reach $1 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour? A.) Bobby Jones; B.) Arnold Palmer; C.) Jack Nicklaus; D.) Tiger Woods.

Until next week, remember to replace your divots and here’s to kissing the Blarney Stone. My best to you all!